Intellectual training toy

ABSTRACT

To provide an intellectual training toy which can suppress noise and improve safety, and which has a significant effect on developing children&#39;s intellect, maintaining or recovering the mental and physical functions of the elderly, and other purposes. 
     An intellectual training toy whose material is a soft elastic material comprises a triangular annular member ( 1 ), wherein a user can turn an inside surface and an outside surface of the annular member ( 1 ) inside out, and the shape of the annular member ( 1 ) changes when the user turns the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member ( 1 ) inside out. Since the intellectual training toy is made of a soft and pliable material, noise can be suppressed and safety can be improved. With this intellectual training toy, since the shape of the annular member ( 1 ) changes when the user turns the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member ( 1 ) inside out, there is a significant effect on developing children&#39;s intellect, maintaining or recovering the mental and physical functions of the elderly, and the like.

This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)on Patent Application No. 2010-000744 filed in Japan on Jan. 5, 2010,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an intellectual training toy, andparticularly relates to an intellectual training toy whereby buildingblocks can be played with by using multiple pieces.

2. Description of Related Art

Playing with building blocks, whether the blocks are stacked, connected,or aligned, is beneficial in developing a child's concentration,patience, and balance. Playing with building blocks is also extremelyuseful in maintaining or recovering the mental and physical functions ofthe elderly.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

-   [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No.    2004-24788 (Abstract)-   [Patent Document 2] Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No.    2004-73788 (Abstract)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems the Invention is Intended to Solve

However, problems with building blocks include noise, safety, and thelike. Common commercially available building blocks are made of wood orhard plastic. When building blocks made of wood or hard plastic arebeing played with and a stack of the blocks collapses, it makes a loudnoise. A loud noise is also made when a child throws building blocksmade of wood or hard plastic at the wall or floor or drops the blocks onthe floor. When such loud noises are made in a high-rise housingcomplex, it can irritate residents on the floor below.

Furthermore, there is a risk that when a child throws building blocksmade of wood or hard plastic at another person, the person at whom theblocks are thrown could be injured.

The building block proposed in Patent Document 1 is a soft buildingblock (a polymer mold containing air bubbles) and is therefore capableof resolving the problems described above, but since the building blockhas a simple shape which does not change, it has been insufficient indeveloping children's intellect, maintaining or recovering the mentaland physical functions of the elderly, and other effects. Since theshape-changing ball proposed in Patent Document 2 is made of a softmaterial, noise and injuries can be prevented. However, inverting theouter surface and inner surface of the hollow spherical shape-changingball proposed in Patent Document 2 in order to change the shape has notbeen easy for weaker children and the elderly. Therefore, theshape-changing ball proposed in Patent Document 2 is not suitable fordeveloping children's intellect, maintaining or recovering the mentaland physical functions of the elderly, or other such purposes.Furthermore, since the shape-changing ball proposed in Patent Document 2is a hollow sphere, it cannot be used as a building block.

In view of the circumstances described above, an object of the presentinvention is to provide an intellectual training toy which can suppressnoise and improve safety, while having a profound effect on developingchildren's intellect, maintaining or recovering the mental and physicalfunctions of the elderly, and the like.

Means for Solving these Problems

To achieve the object described above, an intellectual training toyaccording to the present invention is an intellectual training toy madeof a soft and pliable material, the intellectual training toy comprisinga polygonal annular member, wherein a user can turn an inside surfaceand an outside surface of the annular member inside out, and the shapeof the annular member changes when the user turns the inside surface andthe outside surface of the annular member inside out (first aspect).

It should be understood that the polygonal annular member provided inthe intellectual training toy according to the first aspect may be anannular member having a concave (reentrant) polygonal shape.Accordingly, the present invention encompasses an intellectual trainingtoy as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 5A shows the annular member in astate in which its inside surface and outside surface are not turnedinside out, and FIG. 5B shows the annular member in a state in which itsinside surface and outside surface are turned inside out. Moreover,according to the present invention, when the annular member is in astate in which its inside surface and outside surface are not turnedinside out, any part of it corresponding to a side of a polygonal shapemay be curved. Accordingly, the present invention encompasses anintellectual training toy as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A shows theannular member in a state in which its inside surface and outsidesurface are not turned inside out, and FIG. 6B shows the annular memberin a state in which its inside surface and outside surface are turnedinside out. Within the scope of the present invention are not onlyintellectual training toys that change their shape two-dimensionally butalso intellectual training toys that change their shapethree-dimensionally. Accordingly, the present invention encompasses anintellectual training toy as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 7A shows theannular member in a state in which its inside surface and outsidesurface are not turned inside out, and FIG. 7B shows the annular memberin a state in which its inside surface and outside surface are turnedinside out.

To achieve the object described above, the intellectual training toyaccording to the present invention is also an intellectual training toymade of a soft and pliable material, the intellectual training toycomprising an elliptical or circular annular member, wherein thethickness of the annular member, which is a distance between an insidesurface and an outside surface of the annular member, is not uniform; auser can turn an inside surface and an outside surface of the annularmember inside out, and the shape of the annular member changes when theuser turns the inside surface and the outside surface of the annularmember inside out (second aspect).

In the intellectual training toy of the first or second aspect, thereare curved parts present in the outer shape of the annular member whenthe inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member are ina state of having been turned inside out (third aspect).

In the intellectual training toy of any of the first through thirdaspects, the intellectual training toy may comprise an extending memberprovided so as to extend to the inside of the annular member from theinside surface of the annular member. The shape of the intellectualtraining toy according to the present invention when the inside surfaceand the outside surface of the annular member have been turned insideout can thereby be diversified. For example, the shape of theintellectual training toy according to the present invention when theinside surface and the outside surface of the annular member have beenturned inside out can be made into a shape resembling an animal or aplant.

Effect of the Invention

With the intellectual training toy according to the present invention,since the material is soft and elastic, noise can be suppressed andsafety can be improved. Furthermore, with the intellectual training toyaccording to the present invention, since the shape of the annularmember changes when the user turns the inside surface and the outsidesurface of the annular member inside out, a profound effect occurs interms of improving children's intellect, maintaining or recovering themental and physical functions of the elderly, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the insidesurface and outside surface of the annular member have been turnedinside out;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the insidesurface and outside surface of the annular member have been turnedinside out;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the insidesurface and outside surface of the annular member have been turnedinside out;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto the fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the insidesurface and outside surface of the annular member have been turnedinside out;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto the fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the insidesurface and outside surface of the annular member have been turnedinside out;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto the sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the insidesurface and outside surface of the annular member have been turnedinside out;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the intellectual training toy accordingto the seventh embodiment of the present invention, wherein the insidesurface and outside surface of the annular member have been turnedinside out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention are described hereinbelow withreference to the drawings.

First, the intellectual training toy according to the first embodimentof the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.The intellectual training toy according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention comprises a triangular annular member 1, and anextending member 2 provided so as to extend from the inside surface ofthe annular member 1 into the interior of the annular member 1, as shownin FIG. 1A. The annular member 1 and the extending member 2 arepreferably formed integrally, but the annular member 1 and the extendingmember 2 may also be formed separately and then the annular member 1 andthe extending member 2 may be joined together using an adhesive.

In the state shown in FIG. 1A, the intellectual training toy accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention can be used as atriangular column building block provided with an opening.

With the intellectual training toy according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention, the material is rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), asoft plastic, or another soft elastic material, and the user can turnthe inside surface and outside surface of the annular member 1 insideout.

FIG. 1B shows the intellectual training toy according to the firstembodiment of the present invention in a state in which the insidesurface and the outside surface of the annular member 1 have been turnedinside out. Since the portions of the annular member 1 equivalent to theedges of the triangle shape can undergo profound deformation, theseportions prominently deform when the inside surface and the outsidesurface of the annular member 1 are turned inside out. By contrast,since the portions of the annular member 1 equivalent to the corners ofthe triangle shape can deform by only a small amount, these portions donot deform very much even when the inside surface and the outsidesurface of the annular member 1 are turned inside out. As a result, whenthe inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member 1 havebeen turned inside out, the annular member 1 takes on a shape similar toa three-leaf clover petal as shown in FIG. 1B. When the inside surfaceand the outside surface of the annular member 1 have been turned insideout, the extending member 2 extends to the outside of the annular member1. When the inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member1 have been turned inside out, the intellectual training toy accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention thereby assumes a shaperesembling a three-leaf clover. Therefore, the intellectual training toyaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention can be usedas a specially-shaped building block resembling a three-leaf clover inthe state shown in FIG. 1B.

Next, the intellectual training toy according to the second embodimentof the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.The intellectual training toy according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention comprises a square-shaped annular member 3, and afirst extending member 4, a second extending member 5, a third extendingmember 6, and a fourth extending member 7, all provided so as to extendto the inside of the annular member 3 from the inside surface of theannular member 3, as shown in FIG. 2A. The annular member 3 and thefirst through fourth extending members 4 to 7 are preferably formedintegrally, but the annular member 3 and the first through fourthextending members 4 to 7 may be formed separately, and then the annularmember 3 and the first through fourth extending members 4 to 7 may bejoined together using an adhesive.

In the state shown in FIG. 2A, the intellectual training toy accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention can be used as asquare building block provided with an opening.

In the intellectual training toy according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention, the material is rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), asoft plastic, or another soft elastic material, and the user can turnthe inside surface and outside surface of the annular member 3 insideout.

FIG. 2B shows the intellectual training toy according to the secondembodiment of the present invention in a state in which the insidesurface and the outside surface of the annular member 3 have been turnedinside out. Since the portions of the annular member 3 equivalent to theedges of the square shape can undergo profound deformation, theseportions prominently deform when the inside surface and the outsidesurface of the annular member 3 are turned inside out. By contrast,since the portions of the annular member 3 equivalent to the corners ofthe square shape can deform by only a small amount, these portions donot deform very much even when the inside surface and the outsidesurface of the annular member 3 are turned inside out. As a result, whenthe inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member 3 havebeen turned inside out, the annular member 3 takes on a shape similar tobutterfly wings as shown in FIG. 2B. When the inside surface and theoutside surface of the annular member 3 have been turned inside out, thefirst through fourth extending members 4 to 7 extend to the outside ofthe annular member 3. When the inside surface and the outside surface ofthe annular member 3 have been turned inside out, the intellectualtraining toy according to the second embodiment of the present inventionthereby becomes a shape resembling a butterfly. Therefore, theintellectual training toy according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention can be used as a specially shaped building blockresembling a butterfly in the state shown in FIG. 2B.

Next, the intellectual training toy according to the third embodiment ofthe present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.The intellectual training toy according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention comprises an annular member 8 in the shape of arectangle, and a first extending member 9, a second extending member 10,a third extending member 11, and a fourth extending member 12, allprovided so as to extend to the inside of the annular member 8 from theinside surface of the annular member 8, as shown in FIG. 3A. The annularmember 8 and the first through fourth extending members 9 to 12 arepreferably formed integrally, but the annular member 8 and the firstthrough fourth extending members 9 to 12 may be formed separately, andthen the annular member 8 and the first through fourth extending members9 to 12 may be joined together using an adhesive.

In the state shown in FIG. 3A, the intellectual training toy accordingto the third embodiment of the present invention can be used as arectangular building block provided with an opening.

In the intellectual training toy according to the third embodiment ofthe present invention, the material is rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), asoft plastic, or another soft elastic material, and the user can turnthe inside surface and outside surface of the annular member 8 insideout.

FIG. 3B shows the intellectual training toy according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention in a state in which the insidesurface and the outside surface of the annular member 8 have been turnedinside out. Since the portions of the annular member 8 equivalent to theedges of the rectangle shape can undergo prominent deformation, theseportions profoundly deform when the inside surface and the outsidesurface of the annular member 8 are turned inside out. By contrast,since the portions of the annular member 8 equivalent to the corners ofthe rectangle shape can deform by only a small amount, these portions donot deform very much even when the inside surface and the outsidesurface of the annular member 8 are turned inside out. As a result, whenthe inside surface and the outside surface of the annular member 8 havebeen turned inside out, the annular member 8 assumes a shape similar toa cross with rounded edges as shown in FIG. 3B. When the inside surfaceand the outside surface of the annular member 8 have been turned insideout, the first through fourth extending members 9 to 12 extend to theoutside of the annular member 8. The intellectual training toy accordingto the third embodiment of the present invention when the inside surfaceand the outside surface of the annular member 8 have been turned insideout thereby assumes a shape resembling a rhinoceros. Therefore, theintellectual training toy according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention can be used as a specially-shaped building blockresembling a rhinoceros in the state shown in FIG. 3B.

Next, the intellectual training toy according to the fourth embodimentof the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.The intellectual training toy according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention comprises an annular member 13 in the shape of anellipse, and a first extending member 14, a second extending member 15,a third extending member 16, a fourth extending member 17, a fifthextending member 18, and a sixth extending member 19, all provided so asto extend to the inside of the annular member 13 from the inside surfaceof the annular member 13, as shown in FIG. 4A. The annular member 13 andthe first through sixth extending members 14 to 19 are preferably formedintegrally, but the annular member 13 and the first through sixthextending members 14 to 19 may be formed separately, and then theannular member 13 and the first through sixth extending members 14 to 19may be joined together using an adhesive.

In the state shown in FIG. 4A, the intellectual training toy accordingto the fourth embodiment of the present invention can be used as anelliptical columnar building block provided with an opening.

In the intellectual training toy according to the fourth embodiment ofthe present invention, the material is rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), asoft plastic, or another soft elastic material, and the user can turnthe inside surface and outside surface of the annular member 13 insideout.

FIG. 4B shows the intellectual training toy according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention in a state in which the insidesurface and the outside surface of the annular member 13 have beenturned inside out. Since the thickness of the annular member 13 (thedistance between the inside surface and the outside surface) is notuniform and the thinner portions of the annular member 13 can undergoprominent deformation, these portions profoundly deform when the insidesurface and the outside surface of the annular member 13 are turnedinside out. By contrast, since the thicker portions of the annularmember 13 can deform by only a small amount, these portions do notdeform very much even when the inside surface and the outside surface ofthe annular member 13 are turned inside out. As a result, when theinside surface and the outside surface of the annular member 13 havebeen turned inside out, the outer shape of the annular member 13 takeson a shape similar to an octagon composed of sides that curve inward, asshown in FIG. 4B. When the inside surface and the outside surface of theannular member 13 have been turned inside out, the first through sixthextending members 14 to 19 extend to the outside of the annular member13. The shape of the intellectual training toy according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention when the inside surface and theoutside surface of the annular member 13 have been turned inside outthereby becomes a shape resembling a turtle. Therefore, the intellectualtraining toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present inventioncan be used as a specially shaped building block resembling a turtle inthe state shown in FIG. 4B.

In the intellectual training toy according to the first through fourthembodiments of the present invention, since the material is made ofrubber (e.g. silicon rubber), a soft plastic, or another soft elasticmaterial and is pliable, when the toy is used as a building block, thenoise that occurs when stacked building blocks collapse can be reduced.When the intellectual training toy according to the first through fourthembodiments of the present invention is thrown at the wall or floor by achild or is dropped on the floor, the resulting noise can also bereduced. Therefore, when the intellectual training toy according to thefirst through fourth embodiments of the present invention is used in ahigh-rise housing complex, the risk of bothering residents on the floorbelow can be reduced significantly.

Furthermore, in the intellectual training toy according to the firstthrough fourth embodiments of the present invention, since the materialis made of rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), a soft plastic, or another softelastic material and is pliable, when a child throws the intellectualtraining toy according to the first through fourth embodiments atanother person, it is possible to significantly reduce the risk ofcausing injury to the person at whom the intellectual training toyaccording to the first through fourth embodiments of the presentinvention is thrown.

The intellectual training toy according to the first through fourthembodiments of the present invention changes greatly in shape as aresult of the user turning the inside surface and the outside surface ofthe annular member inside out, and since the change cannot be envisionedbefore the toy is turned inside out, the user has greater interest andattention in the intellectual training toy according to the firstthrough fourth embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, theintellectual training toy according to the first through fourthembodiments of the present invention has a significant effect ondeveloping children's intellect, maintaining or recovering the mentaland physical functions of the elderly, and other purposes.

One example of a mode of playing with the intellectual training toyaccording to the present invention involves playing with building blocksusing a plurality of the intellectual training toys according to thepresent invention. For example, in one possible mode of play when twopeople are involved, they could stack building blocks in an alternatingmanner, they could play “rock-paper-scissors” each time before stackinga block, the winner of rock-paper-scissors could decide whether or notthe inside surface and outside surface of the annular member would beturned inside out, regardless of whether it is their or theircounterpart's turn to stack a block, and the person to upset the stackedblocks would be the final loser.

The intellectual training toy according to the present invention changesgreatly in shape as a result of the user turning the inside surface andthe outside surface of the annular member inside out, and since thechange cannot be envisioned before the toy is turned inside out, it ispossible to play with only a single toy. For example, the toy could getstepped on. In the intellectual training toy according to the presentinvention, since the material is rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), a softplastic, or another soft elastic material, it is easy to pick up the toyafter the toy has been stepped on, unlike wooden building blocks.

In the intellectual training toy according to the present invention,since the material is rubber (e.g. silicon rubber), a soft plastic, oranother soft elastic material, the toy is also suitable for use in abath, pool, or other place filled with water, unlike wooden buildingblocks.

The intellectual training toy according to the first through fourthembodiments of the present invention is configured to comprise extendingparts, but the intellectual training toy according to the presentinvention is not limited to this configuration, and may be configuredwithout any extending parts. The intellectual training toy according tothe first embodiment of the present invention comprises atriangle-shaped annular member, the intellectual training toy accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention comprises asquare-shaped annular member, and the intellectual training toyaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises arectangle-shaped annular member; however, the intellectual training toyaccording to the present invention is not limited to theseconfigurations, and may comprise a polygonal annular member having ashape other than a triangle, square, or rectangle. The intellectualtraining toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present inventioncomprises an ellipse-shaped annular member, but the intellectualtraining toy according to the present invention is not limited to thisconfiguration, and may comprise an annular member having an ellipticalshape with equal major and minor axes; i.e., the shape of a circle.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   -   1 Annular member    -   2 Extending member    -   3 Annular member    -   4 First extending member    -   5 Second extending member    -   6 Third extending member    -   7 Fourth extending member    -   8 Annular member    -   9 First extending member    -   10 Second extending member    -   11 Third extending member    -   12 Fourth extending member    -   13 Annular member    -   14 First extending member    -   15 Second extending member    -   16 Third extending member    -   17 Fourth extending member    -   18 Fifth extending member    -   19 Sixth extending member

1. An intellectual training toy made of a soft and pliable material,comprising: a polygonal annular member; wherein a user can turn aninside surface and an outside surface of the annular member inside out,and the shape of the annular member changes when the user turns theinside surface and the outside surface of the annular member inside out.2. An intellectual training toy made of a soft and pliable material,comprising: an elliptical or circular annular member, wherein thethickness of the annular member, which is a distance between an insidesurface and an outside surface of the annular member, is not uniform;and a user can turn an inside surface and an outside surface of theannular member inside out, and the shape of the annular member changeswhen the user turns the inside surface and the outside surface of theannular member inside out.
 3. The intellectual training toy according toclaim 1, wherein there are curved parts present in the outer shape ofthe annular member when the inside surface and the outside surface ofthe annular member are in a state of having been turned inside out. 4.The intellectual training toy according to claim 3, comprising anextending member provided so as to extend to the inside of the annularmember from the inside surface of the annular member.
 5. Theintellectual training toy according claim 1, comprising an extendingmember provided so as to extend to the inside of the annular member fromthe inside surface of the annular member.
 6. The intellectual trainingtoy according to claim 2, wherein there are curved parts present in theouter shape of the annular member when the inside surface and theoutside surface of the annular member are in a state of having beenturned inside out.
 7. The intellectual training toy according claim 6,comprising an extending member provided so as to extend to the inside ofthe annular member from the inside surface of the annular member.
 8. Theintellectual training toy according claim 2, comprising an extendingmember provided so as to extend to the inside of the annular member fromthe inside surface of the annular member.